Early modern studies of gender, sexuality, queerness and race are read in connection to feminist philosophy in this edited collection exploring misogyny in Shakespeare and early modern drama. Moving studies of philosophy and Shakespeare forward in new directions, this book focuses on popular contemporary feminist philosophy and critique. It puts Kate Manne's ground-breaking analysis of misogyny in conversation with Shakespeare to highlight cultural and social norms in the performance of his dramatic works.

The cultural expectations surrounding women in Shakespeare's England are analysed through critical feminist readings of Hamlet, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Rape of Lucrece. These readings offer audiences tools to recognize how the conclusions to many of Shakespeare's plays, in restoring social order, also contribute to misogyny and violence against women. Contributors consider Queens in Shakespeare, race in The Merchant of Venice, misogynoir, violence against Indigenous women and girls, maternal absence and public punishment. Shakespeare and Early Modern Misogyny asks a number of vital questions. How does the performance of misogyny onstage encourage its practice among audience members? How does contemporary misogyny relate to an era when the sexes were not considered equal? How does misogyny reinforce the male/female binary in a space where sex, gender and race were all performed? In providing answers and critical engagement with these questions, contributors encourage us to re-examine the production of misogyny and its mediation through multiple identities in Shakespeare.

Shannon Kelley, Associate Professor of English, Fairfield University, USA.

Patricia Wareh, Professor of English, Union College, USA.